Best Classic Movies to Watch This Fall

November 15, 2015

When the air turns crisp and the days grow short, I spend most nights cuddled up at home. What to do on such a cozy occasion? When I’m not searching for good reading material, I’m perusing online lists for fabulous film finds.

Nothing beats a classic. What’s more comforting on a cold, fall evening than to watch a timeless romantic drama unfold in black and white on the big screen? Perhaps a frightening tale is more your thing? A sweet coming-of-age saga? Whatever genre your prefer, the best classic movies all share a common thread: a well-told story with themes that never go out of style.

Here are a few of my favorite oldies, but goodies:

Best Classic Movies

Horror:

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920). Arguably the first real horror film (yes, it predates even Nosferatu by a couple of years), this film directed by Robert Wiene is a prime example of the German expressionist style. A sinister doctor, a zombie-like sleepwalker, and a set of unsolved murders are at the center of this classic that looks and feels like a bad dream–in a good way. If you’re a fan of the horror genre, then this pick is a must-add to your movie-watching queue. More like this: Nosferatu (1922), Frankenstein (1931).

Coming-of-age:

Il Posto (1961). Italian neorealism meets a beautiful coming-of-age story in this film that will tug at your heartstrings. A young man leaves his home for a job in Milan and experiences all the feelings that come with adulthood–responsibility, joy, love, and disappointment. Think of it as a finely crafted mix between a Kafka novel and the comedy Office Space. More like this: Bicycle Thieves (1948), The Apu Trilogy (1955).

Romance:

Casablanca (1942). Most of us are already familiar with this iconic piece of Hollywood cinema. If not, then you’ve certainly heard the lines “We’ll always have Paris,” and “Here’s looking at you, kid,” right? Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman play lovers in this wartime adventure story fueled by love, passion, and intrigue. It’s an American favorite that never gets old. More like this: Citizen Kane (1941), The Big Sleep (1946).